Advanced manufacturing techniques and the advent of nanotechnology - Assignment Example

? ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES AND THE ADVENT OF NA CHNOLOGY CONTENTS: …………………………………………………………………… p.3 INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………… p.3 TASK 1 …………………………………………………………………… p.9 TASK 2 …………………………………………………………………… p.10 TASK 3 …………………………………………………………………… p.12 CONCLUSION …………………………………………………………………… p.13 REFERENCES …………………………………………………………………… p.15 ABSTRACT The manufacturing benefits of nanotechnology are detailed. The principles of nanotechnology, as well as definitions and descriptions of the scales involved are discussed. An overall objective of advanced manufacturing as a concept is defined. Nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing are posited as a preeminent example of a more flexible, adaptable business model. Nanostructural elements are explained, with possible applications not only in the production process of physical goods, but at other phases of manufacturing, including assistance with environmental requirements due to efficiency. Nanotech has the potential for faster, cleaner industry with more effective options for waste removal and prevention of toxic emissions. Three tasks are discussed, with implications of nanostructures as they benefit circuit manufacture, factory waste-emissions, and miniaturization for ionic conductance components. The benefits as well as disadvantages are explained, with recommendations for further implementation and research. INTRODUCTION The principles of advanced manufacturing, as it pertains to manufacturing flexibility are widely recognized as critical. Retaining and maintaining flexibility in manufacturing and operational procedures boosts the organization's capability to respond effectively to ongoing customer issues and requirements, the goal being to respond without the sacrifice of excessive time and money. A comprehension of the interaction between advanced manufacturing technology and flexibility in the manufacturing process are vital areas of investigation for any productive operation. Advanced manufacturing technology, hereafter referred to as AMT, is essential not simply in the production of more advanced consumer goods, but a more refined technical capability can also permit organizational agility, flexibility during functional operations. Modern research has produced statistical results that indicate a correlation between an organization's sourcing practices and manufacturing flexibility, essential for adaptation to both a changing marketplace, and shifting product demand at any given time. (Oberoi, et al. 2008) AMT allows control over sourcing practices. This methodology permits the achievement of desirable benchmarks in manufacturing flexibility, towards the objective of high agility organizational competitiveness. An excellent modern example would be the growing prevalence of Nanomanufacturing. Nanotechnology and the manufacturing it entails constitute a series of chemical and mechanical techniques that allow the assembly of particles far smaller than any which could be assembled by purely hand-based tools. This paper will demonstrate a wide range of advantages afforded with nanotech and nanoscale manufacturing technology, and how this pertains to the goal of advanced manufacturing technology. Nanotechnology has the potential to act as a new methodology for reducing the energy costs and waste-production of manufacturing processes to benefit a variety of production interests. Potential uses include chemical, refining, automotive, and other heavy industries. There are projections which indicate nanotechnology yields the potential to save up to 1.1 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) and prevent over 60 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2011) Nanotechnology can benefit manufacturing processes in multiple countries and sectors, and open products for a global marketplace. Nanotech Solutions have applications in energy production, storage, and utilization. Nanotech is an exciting frontier of the future because the microscopic unit-sizes that can be produced exhibit novel properties that could not otherwise be duplicated. The term "nanotechnology" has evolved over time due to a sort of terminology drift which in a vernacular sense can mean "anything smaller than microtechnology," which can include powders, particles that are nanoscale in size, but not necessarily mechanisms that have been purposefully constructed from nanoscale components. Nanotechnology describes the science behind the engineering of materials, structures and machines where at least one of the dimensions is 100 nm or less. (Liu, 2009) For an idea of the scale, a single human hair is 80,000 nanometers wide. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2011.) From a wider perspective, nanotechnology also refers to the fabrication techniques whereby objects are designed and constructed by the arrangement and placement of individual atoms and molecules; advancements in spatial statistics have the potential of improving our ability to add or remove the smallest of particles. (Liu, 2009), (Ripley, 1981.) The vanishingly-small size of a nanoparticle creates a high proportion of volume on surface area; this permits greater levels of interactions with surrounding materials, with a level of sensitivity that could not otherwise be realized. First, the dimensions of nanostructures are similar to the size of biomolecules (such as proteins, pharmacokinetically active molecules, surface dynamics, as well as diffusion and transport mechanisms). These attributes give them a degree of sensitivity to unravel atomic and molecular events with high fidelity. Second, researchers recognize the importance of the ratio of the surface area to total volume. This factor is a direct measure of reactivity for nearly all materials. A too-large volume relative to surface area prevents a sufficient rate of particle diffusion interacting with an active surface. A higher surface area to volume ratio means increased exposure to the environment, which correlates to a surface more sensitive to minor perturbations. Furthermore, a high surface area to volume ratio permits the necessary acceleration to negotiate thermodynamic barriers, thereby minimizing waste of free energy. Also, nanostructures possess high surface to volume ratio facilitating a faster diffusion mechanism. Third, one and two-dimensional nanostructures typically possess high-aspect ratio (ratio of length to diameter) structures with directionality-dependent properties. For example, The deflection or absorbance of incident light would vary according to the texture of the nanostructures. Magnetic properties like hysteresis would also change with orientation. In addition, the nanostructures could be honed to create desired material attributes. (Liu, 2009) Engineers can manipulate matter at the nanoscale for the manufacture of stronger materials, dynamics at microscopic levels, (Rafii-Tabar, 2008) different magnetic properties, or enhanced thermal conductivity. Presently, the United States, Germany, and Japan are the leaders in nanotechnology innovation, as of 2010, but Taiwan, Singapore, Israel, and South Korea are also strongly focused on the technology. Global spending to pioneer this manufacturing capability totaled $17.6 billion in 2009. (Lux research, 2010.) American nanotech funding reached $6.4 billion in 2009, with small but steady increases. (Quinn, 2010) This is largely due to major American investments in basic nanotech research over the past 10 years. And furthermore, theorists predict that within the next ten years; perhaps as much as half of all newly designed advanced materials will be constructed at nanoscale. (Postek, 2007) Government agencies are involved to streamline the manufacturing potential of these processes to achieve a number of objectives: 1.) Manufacturing processes to increase the volume and supply of nanotech materials. 2.) Manufacturing processes to increase the reliability of products produced this way. 3.) Consistent supplies of nanomaterials of high quality. 4.) Scalability initiatives to enable nanomaterials to be utilized in a range of products. 5.) Lower the cost of manufacturing processes to expand commercial potential and spur innovation. 6.) Develop nanotechnology to enhance material performance. 7.) Develop nanotechnology to improve the sensitivity of gauges and sensor-devices. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2011.) Examples of product/material improvements include a range of applications from nanocrystallization for thin film batteries, bio-fuels, and renewable energy. The Department of Energy site details several examples of nanotechnology useful in the manufacturing process. Nanotubules can be synthesized for use in the construction of photovoltaic cells. Researchers are developing structured titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays with ionic liquids-based electrolytes. The effort includes synthesizing highly ordered TiO2 nanotubes using ionic liquids and nanostructural determination. Scientists are pioneering synthesis mechanisms, and better elucidation of photovoltaic (PV) traits. Improvements in photoelectric/photovoltaic performance were previously observed with a proof-of-concept project described in the Department of Energy study. When Compared with nanotubes cultivated using prior techniques involving organic electrolytes, TiO2 nanotubes grown using ionic liquids show a light absorbance twice as high for ultraviolet (UV) light, and superior light absorbance for visible as well as infrared light, and over twice the photocurrent density for the purposes of water splitting. Possible applications include Titanium dioxide-polymer hybrid cells, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), enhanced waste decomposition, photocatalysis, and improved gas detectors. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2011.) This technology can be applied to silicon as well, permitting a smaller generation of robotic assembly arms. Advanced assembly methods create novel structures with multiple avenues of utility, as the below example will indicate. This should allow the production of nanowires, from which smaller, faster semiconductors would be a possibility. (Kashchiev, 2000) TASK 1 BEFORE: Computer capacity is predicted to double every two years, and local technology firm needs something innovative to avoid being left in the dust. But there just doesn't seem to be any obvious way to get their chips, their circuits any smaller than they already are. There's just no way to build anything smaller; which would have allowed them to pack more processing power in the same space. If this keeps up, the firm won't be able to make payroll next quarter. AFTER: One of the managers just got back from a nanotechnology conference, and getting together with the engineers he comes up with a plan to contract a nanotech firm to aid in the development of single-walled carbon nanotubes. (SWNT) The tubes are only a single atom thick each. The engineers have a new lease on life, and are able to push the circuitry envelope even further - with ideas on the drawing board for molecular wires. The manager also mentions to a long-time business associate that SWNT's can be used to detect gases as well; the atomic tubes can sniff out chemicals down to parts-per-trillion; (Shaw, 2008) it could help his friend test his production line for the chlorofluorocarbons the new regulations insist he eliminate. TASK 2 BEFORE: The specter of smokestacks churning out billowing mountains of dubious fumes is almost proverbial as a symbol of industrial irresponsibility. The factory provides numerous jobs to the town, and while the billowing plumes of gases are unsightly, there's not an obvious solution that wouldn't skyrocket the costs, and that means lost jobs. But gas separation and filtration through nanomanufacturing can both make the process of production more efficient, and reduce the impact of airborne waste. Once the aforementioned nanotechnology has detected the gases, another example of complex manufacturing benefitting from nanotech are filter membranes that allow the separation of selected gases, such as carbon from oxygen. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2011.) This could have enormous utility in the removal of waste gases during heavy industrial synthesis/smelting. Nanostructured membranes are under development to separate carbon dioxide from the exhaust streams of factories and other large-scale industries. The current goal is to develop methods to reduce emissions while constantly lowering the cost of retrofitting. Cost, in this case appears to be the main drawback in altering the operation significantly. AFTER: The factory looks almost identical from the outside, but now that they've added the new Nanoparticle Manganese Oxide poriferia system, you have to be really looking to notice any kind of smoke plumes. The gases are still there; but they've been filtered and separated for harmless disposal. A variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air can contribute to dangerous smog with risks to human health. There is great incentive for air-purity laws to grow stricter. The latest air-purification systems depend on photocatalysts, absorbency agents like activated charcoal, as well as ozonolysis. But these older systems are less efficient at breaking down organic pollutants. The new filtration system uses embedded gold particles to efficiently remove VOCs as well as nitrogen/sulphur oxides from the air at room temperature. (Understandingnano.com, 2007) This is another example of the new possibilities nanotech opens; gold in macro-scale quantities is essentially inert; but nanostructures of the element are highly reactive, catalytic, with a lower melting point. (Shaw, 2008) This material is successful largely because of a large inner surface area of porous manganese oxide. The benefits of greater surface-area ratios in this case allows volatile molecules a higher number of possible absorption sites. In addition, the material breaks down the absorbed pollutants more effectively than older systems. (Understandingnano.com, 2007) Filters and poriferia (Nanotube-based membranes for removal of carbon dioxide) (Understandingnano.com, 2007) can lead to a wide range of other applications; in addition to the separation of oxides, they can also segregate select gases such as alkanes, for cleaner smokestacks, and fewer environmental sanctions. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2011) Such as use in respirators, gas-masks, and underwater rebreathers. Other researchers are using the technology to create nanoscale fibers that can repel water and stains. (Liu, 2009) TASK 3 BEFORE: The battery factory has been owned and controlled locally for generations. But it's getting harder to compete with the huge, electronics multinationals, and the economy lately hasn't been helping matters either. The unions are demanding better wages, but far from being able to add costs, management feels the pressure to begin the lay-offs. Luckily, the vice-president has been meeting with the engineers; they've developed some very exciting new designs. Of course, the company just doesn't have the cash for any kind of R&D just now. Luckily, tomorrow will bring a meeting with a venture capitalist firm. AFTER: The Venture firm has agreed to fund the engineers' idea. Forward-thinking ideas involving nanotechnology are hot topics today. The plan for architectural nanomembranes for energy conversion looks promising. The smaller, thinner fuel cells are possible due to 200 times greater ionic conductivity than with conventional means. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2011.) There's a price, sure. That's the main limitation. But with the investment funds; the battery factory is able to get over the initial hump to modernize its operation like never before. Over time, economies of scale allow for greater numbers of a better battery, as the profits start rolling in. If this keeps up, the factory will want to expand beyond just this one small town. CONCLUSION The primary obstacle in the implementation of nanotechnology is one of initial cost in the startup. There are also additional gray-areas in the most efficient means by which to implement nano-scale objects. Presently, there are selections of object-types that can be assembled with nano-fabrication methods. While these structures may have many uses, all these uses may not be fully explored at present. For instance, as demonstrated above, carbon nanotubes have a range of possible functions: The U.S. Department of Energy study details structural advantages, there appear to be possibilities in terms of nano-wire, and thus circuit miniaturization. But the ability to assemble tubes a single atom thick also permits the development of extremely delicate sensor devices. The primary material advantage in fine instruments lies in the negligible internal volume of nanoscale objects; more of the material is available for surface reactivity, which permits greater sensitivity, and greater absorption. Yes, there are many applications in manufacturing where nanotech can increase efficiency, and overcome operational limits, but more research is needed. The Lux Research study describes growth in nanotech research, but at a miniscule rate. There are several nanoscale structures we know how to create, but there is doubt that we fully understand the full range of utilities for which these techniques might yet be useful. REFERENCES WEB Alientechnology.com, 2006. Scaling Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain Capabilities for Small and Medium Enterprises. www.alientechnology.com/docs/19166_Killdeer_CaseStudy.pdf. Accessed: 1/14/2012. Lux Research, 2010. Ranking the Nations on Nanotech: Hidden Havens and False Threats The Authority of Law. State of the Market Report. (August 2010). Accessed: 1/14/2012. Quinn, Gene. 2010. United States Risks Losing Global Leadership in Nanotech. IPWatchdog,inc. An Online Magazine Focusing on the News & Business of IP. http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/08/19/united-states-risks-losing-global-leadership-in-nanotech/id=12123/. Accessed: 1/14/2012. Shaw, D. 2008. Nanotechnology In Gas Detection Has Appeal. gasdetection.com. Facility Safety Management. http://www.gasdetection.com/news2/fsm_nanotechnology_in_gas_detection_has_appeal_oct_08.html. Accessed: 1/14/2012. understandingnano.com. 2007. Air Pollution and Nanotechnology. How can nanotechnology reduce air pollution? http://www.understandingnano.com/air.html. Accessed: 1/14/2012. U.S. Department of Energy. 2011. Nanomanufacturing. Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Industrial Technologies Program. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/nanomanufacturing/. Accessed: 1/13/2012. BOOKS Kashchiev, D. 2000, Nucleation: Basic Theory with Applications, Butterworth Heinemann. Oxford. Rafii-Tabar, H. 2008, Computational Physics of Carbon Nanotubes. Cambridge University Press. Ripley, B. 1981, Spatial Statistics. John Wiley & Sons, 1981 ARTICLES Liu, Gang. 2009. Nanostructure morphology variation modeling and estimation for nanomanufacturing process yield improvement. Scholar Commons Citation. Oberoi, J.S., Khamba, J.S., Kiran, R. 2008. An empirical examination of advanced manufacturing technology and sourcing practices in developing manufacturing flexibilities. International Journal of Services and Operations Management. Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. 10.1504/IJSOM.2008.018721. p. 652-671 PUBLIC PAPERS Postek, M.T. 2007. “Nanometrology: Fundamental for Realizing Products at the Nanoscale”, 2007 Read More